Madison County explains new 9‑1‑1 property fee, outlines appeal process and mapping tool

Madison County officials used the June 24 Fiscal Court meeting to walk residents and magistrates through the county's new property-based 9‑1‑1 classification system, the appeal process and where to find supporting materials online and in county offices.

Judge Executive Taylor and county staffer Jill explained that notification letters began mailing to property owners in the two weeks before the meeting and that residents who receive letters can appeal classifications online, by using kiosks set up at the annex, or by asking a magistrate or county staff to submit the appeal for them. Jill said the county put a QR code and a link on the letter to the appeal form on the county website.

The appeal form lists four selectable reasons for appeal: incorrect square footage, incorrect 9‑1‑1 usage classification (as pulled from zoning maps), a contiguous/contingent property owned by the same owner (to combine fees), or proof of a current landline that already pays a landline fee. Jill emphasized residents should use the open text field on the form if more than one issue applies because the drop‑down permits only a single selection. She walked through the square‑footage definition included in the form: "improved square footage" includes finished living space and improved areas such as garages with electrical and drywall, and excludes unfinished basements without electrical or finished walls.

County staff demonstrated an overlay map of the county's 9‑1‑1 classifications and how those classifications differ from city zoning maps for Richmond and Berea. Jill explained the county's classification focuses on how a property is used (single‑family, multifamily, business, industrial, public) even when a city's legacy zoning label may show a different classification; she asked residents to flag mismatches so the county can correct them before fall billing.

Officials also described the procedure for residents who currently pay a landline fee: the monthly landline charge on bills (noted in the transcript as $3.50 per month, $42 per year) will be credited against the new property 9‑1‑1 fee for 2025 if the resident submits proof of the landline charge. Jill noted the landline fee will end December 31, 2025, and that residents should file appeals as soon as possible so the county can correct records before fall billings and the property tax mailing process.

Magistrates and staff discussed usability of the appeal form (several asked that the drop‑down permit multiple selections), the timeline for submission, and the importance of including email addresses on appeals so the county can send confirmations and status updates. The county requested residents not rely on social media for issue resolution and encouraged direct contact with county staff to correct data in the county's property valuation/assessment (PVA) records.

Why it matters: the county says the classification changes fund 9‑1‑1 operations and improve dispatch accuracy; accurate parcel data and classification determines who receives which fee and avoids double charges for contiguous parcels or for households already paying a landline fee.

What to find online: staff displayed the county 9‑1‑1 information page (the ordinance and rate schedule were referenced during the presentation), the appeal form and a county 9‑1‑1 classification map linked from the county homepage.

Ending: County staff asked magistrates to help constituents submit appeals and to notify the county when they discover street‑ or subdivision‑wide classification errors. Officials said they will continue outreach ahead of fall billing to reduce errors and minimize customer complaints.